Tae Kwon Do

I’ve begun a list of all of the definitions that I should know at my level in Tae Kwon Do. I will add to this as I promote to each belt level. All definitions are taken from the Choong Sil Student Manual.

Definitions:

White Belt – White signifies purity and innocence, as that of the beginning student with no previous knowledge of Taekwondo.

Yellow Belt – Yellow signifies the earth, from which the plant sprouts and takes root as the Taekwondo foundation is being laid.

Blue Belt – Blue signifies the heavens toward which the plant develops into a towering tree as the Taekwondo training progresses.

Forms:

Chon Ji – Chon Ji means literally, “the Heaven, the Earth.” It is interpreted in the Orient as the story of creation or the beginning of human history and therefore is the initial pattern played. by the beginner. The pattern consists of two similar parts; one to represent Heaven, and the other, the Earth. 19 moves, Traditional, left foot returns

Song Song – Song Song means “imagination.” In the beginning phases of philosophical development, students must use their imagination to set goals beyond their current limitations and from this, visualize their achievements in advance. This in turn strengthens the belief system to the point that individual goals are possible and obtainable. 30 moves, Self-improvement, right foot returns

Dan Gun – Dan Gun is named after [the holy]† Dan Gun, the legendary founder of Korea in the year 2333 B.C. 21 moves, Traditional, left foot returns

Do San – Do San is the pseudonym of the patriot Ahn Chang Ho (1876-1938). All 24 moves represent his life which he dedicated to furthering knowledge in Korea and its independence movement. 24 moves, Traditional, right foot returns

Won Hyo – Won Hyo is the noted monk who introduced Buddhism to the Silla Dynasty in the year 686 AD. 28 moves, Traditional, right foot returns

Yom Gom – Yom Gom means “inspiration.” With goals firmly in mind, the students must also learn to self-inspire themselves into action, as they develop a sense of self-worth. Without this, they may never strive for success as they may feel that they do not deserve the rewards that accompany achievement. 40 moves, Self-improvement, left foot returns

Yul Gok – Yul Gok is the pseudonym of the great philosopher and scholar Yi-I (1536 – 1584), nicknamed the “Confucious of Korea.” The 38 movements of this pattern represent his birthplace on the 38th degree latitude and the diagram represents “scholar.”

Joong Gun – Joong Gun is named after the patriot Ahn Joong-Gun who assassinated Hiro-Bumi Ito, the first Japanese governor-general of Korea, known as the man who played the leading part in the Korean-Japan merger. There are 32 movements in this patter to represent Mr. Ahn’s age when he was executed at Lui-Shung prison.

† The actual definition as taken from the Choong Sil Student Manual contains the phrase “the holy.” As I am studying Taekwondo at a church group, this phrase in the definition was left out.